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remaining shut since Saturday, has resulted in a power shortage of 1,410 MW or a tenth of the daily power consumption.

Almost immediately, reports of power shutdowns surfaced from several parts of the state including the Cauvery delta districts and southern districts that endure up to two-hour unscheduled cuts. The problem was aggravated with the seasonal

Between coal-fired power and that generated by wind, the state was short of nearly 2,500 MW. The state’s daily average power demand is 14,200 MW. Tangedco burns around 26 million tonnes of coal each year, with each plant holding a stock of 20 days. Poor supplies due to flooding of coal mines have resulted in the utility left with just three days’ stock, forcing it to shut down three units, to run other units.

“ An unexpected shortfall in generation by some central stations and sudden drop in wind power has reduced power availability. However, we are managing the situation by purchasing power from the open market with other states, since coal availability is a problem for all generating stations due to rain in mining areas in certain parts of the country,” Tangedco chairman Vikram Kapur told TOI.

Power managers said that the situation may remain unchanged vis-à-vis thermal plants, but hoped wind energy generation would improve.

are flooded. Until three days ago, we did not get even a single coal rake. Things have improved a little with two to three rakes coming from Asansol mines. But that’s not enough to meet the fuel demand of all thermal units.”

“The coal shortage started last year (September), as we could not get rail rakes to move inland coal. Since then the problem persists. To offset dependence on local coal, we opted to import coal and that was stopped after CAG raised questions, he said.

“We have now floated tenders for coal supply and expect it to land by mid-October,” he added.